Commenting on Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s report on social mobility published today (22 May 2012), Sir Martin Harris, Director of Fair Access to Higher Education, said:
“I warmly welcome the recognition in this report that raising attainment and aspiration in schools is a vital factor in fair access to higher education for all bright and able children, regardless of their background. Indeed, the Office for Fair Access has pointed to this for some time.
“I also agree that greater clarity, earlier on, about financial support for students could be very helpful, so they have all the facts when making key choices.
“As both the Government and Ed Miliband have reiterated in recent days, fair access to university is of course essential to social mobility. That is why, since 2006, universities that wish to charge higher fees have agreed ‘fair access’ agreements with the Office for Fair Access setting out how they will work to attract disadvantaged students, including outreach activities and financial support such as bursaries.”